Library Skills Tutorials

Tutorial 2: TOPCAT, the Library Catalogue

Library Branches

Watch this page in a video slideshow.

Trent University Library has two branches: Bata and Oshawa. The location of each item in TOPCAT is specified at the bottom of the record.

Many items are only available at one library or the other, so it's important to look at the location.

The screen capture below shows the display of locations.

• Bata items are shown first, and each copy is listed with its location.
• Oshawa items are shown below Bata, and each copy is listed with its location.

Requesting an Item from Another Library Branch

If the item you want is at a different branch, you may request it.

• Oshawa students: click the Hold button at the top of the record. (See the Oshawa Campus Library page on Ordering for details.)
• Peterborough students request a book from Oshawa at the Circulation Desk in Bata Library. Staff will place the request.

Requested items can be picked up at the Circulation Desk of the receiving library. They can be returned to either branch. When they are returned, they will be sent back to their home location.

While items are being moved between libraries, their location will indicate they are IN TRANSIT.

Searching by Library Branch

When you search TOPCAT in Power Search (covered in the Advanced TOPCAT tutorial), you have the option to search both branches or a specific branch. The default searches both branches, and you don't need to change that. However, if you want to know what's ON THE SHELF in a particular library, limit your search to that library.

To search a particular library:

• choose a Power Search
• change the "library" limiter to Oshawa or Bata
• enter some search terms, and
• click Search.

TOPCAT will show only items in that library. See the screen capture below.

Caution to Oshawa Users

When you limit your search to Oshawa, you eliminate ALL ONLINE resources. You will only find items physically located in the Oshawa Campus Library.

Due to its size, the number of items in the Oshawa Campus Library is limited. To see all resources available to you, search both locations.

Bata items can be requested and shipped to Oshawa for you. (See the Oshawa webpage for Ordering Materials from Bata Library for more details.)

The next screen covers TOPCAT Records.

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